Entertainment

Sally Rooney is the literary darling of the moment. For many, her novels, Conversations with Friends and Normal People, capture the voice of a generation, and have earned her a place in the millennial zeitgeist.

The numerous restrictions brought about by the coronavirus pandemic have unfortunately put a halt to many social aspects of our lives. But the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre were determined to continue entertaining the nation by broadcasting ‘live’ productions on television.

Those more au fait with binary code know the above tells an undeniable truth about the 2020s. It’s a truth that is becoming more evident to more people as every hour of lockdown passes, and one that could influence policy debate across the decade.

With the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the world and forcing a great many of us into lockdown for an undetermined period, many of us have been attempting to find new ways to keep boredom at bay and to maintain some sense of normalcy.

Launched this week, Quibi is a new streaming service whose videos are exclusively ten minutes or less. Unlike its web-friendly competitors, it can only be used on mobile devices, utilising dynamic portrait-to-landscape ‘Turnstyle’ viewing technology – that is, whatever way up your phone is, your shows will always be full-screen.

The entertainment industry has pretty much closed down in reality. Bars are closed, event spaces are likely to be closed until May or even September and festivals are dropping like flies.

With countless films available across several streaming services, MM picks out ten thrillers on Netflix in the UK that should provide escapism, excitement and a distraction from the monotony of lockdown.

If you’re already planning your first night out once everything is back to normal in the UK, consider a night out at Manchester235.

Leeds musical treasure Katie Harkin is preparing to add her latest, eponymous solo project to a résumé already laden with brilliant accomplishments.

Baxter Dury told Jason Williamson that he envisaged his new album ‘The Night Chancers’ – as told by an ageing hip hop mogul who looks back on his life in chapters – the perfect analogy for an album doused in self-awareness and promiscuity.

As coronavirus restrictions force people to find more creative ways to entertain themselves – with giant lasagnes, flat bingo, and care home Hungry Hippos all making waves on social media – one major new casualty is the grassroots music industry.